LA Galaxy March Forward in Quest for Sixth MLS Cup

Not a bad opening act. 

Emmanuel Boateng had a brace by the end of the first half and the Los Angeles Galaxy cruised into the semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs with a 3-1 shellacking of rivals, Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night at StubHub Center.

Boateng, A.K.A. "The Flying Flea," scored a flurry of goals midway through the first half after committing a penalty inside the box that led to the game-tying goal for Real Salt Lake. 

"He really didn't foul the player on that penalty kick," said Bruce Arena, Boateng's coach and manager. "It was unfortunate, but it got him angry and he made up for it."

The five-time MLS Cup Champion have struggled in the attacking third this season, but Boateng helped alleviate those problems on the pitch in the must-win Knockout Game.

"These guys have been telling me that he has that in him," added teammate Landon Donovan of Boateng's performance. "He was terrific and we need him to play like that moving forward."

Boateng exposed the inefficient Real Salt Lake backline with his superior speed and exploited the Royals inside the box every chance he got.

"That PK pissed me off a little bit. I took what the defense gave me and tried to give my team an advantage," said Boateng. "I was fortunate tonight."

It's no secret that the LA Galaxy offense runs through Mexican international star, Giovani Dos Santos, so it should come as no surprise that the team's Player of the Year provided the assist that opened up the scoring for the Galaxy.

After a deep run down the right flank by Landon Donovan, the 34-year-old forward sent a cross to the near post that Dos Santos was able to get his head on, delivering a ball that drooped like a sail that just lost its wind, into the flying knee of Alan Gordon for the game's first goal.

"Landon made a great run and Gio ran to the front post that opened things up for me at the backpost," described Gordon. "Gio saw me, got his head on it and flicked a really nice ball to me. There was really nothing left for me to do except put it in the back of the net. Those two get all the credit for that goal."

Alan Gordon puts LA up 1-0 and then really celebrates with that net. pic.twitter.com/lQ95hkpdzc — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) October 27, 2016

Minutes later, RSL issued a response as Javier Morales attacked the Galaxy defense, threading his way into the box before he was tripped up by Boateng in the penalty area.

"I don't think it was a foul," Boateng said of the penalty. "He was the one who made the move towards my leg. I didn't think it was worthy of a PK. I had to try and brush it aside."

Joao Plata stepped up to take the penalty and easily converted the free shot that tied the game.

But from that point forward, the match was all about Boateng as he got the goal back in the 26^th minute, slicing through four defenders like a knife through butter, as he slotted a left-footed shot into the far post for the go-ahead goal.

"If Messi scored a goal like that, people would be talking about it for weeks," said Donovan of Boateng's goal. "It was an unbelievable goal and the second goal was just as good."

In case RSL forgot to watch the film on "The Flying Flea," he burst past defender Demar Phillips eight minutes later in another equally spectacular run, scoring in similar fashion as he gave the Galaxy a commanding 3-1 lead.

The goals that got 'em there. #LAvRSL https://t.co/Xaaq6rPdW9 — Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 27, 2016

The Galaxy held on for the victory with a scoreless second half and advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals to play the Colorado Rapids in a two-leg, home-and-home, playoff round that starts at the StubHub Center on Sunday.

"The goal for this team is not to win a play-in game and then have the season be over," finished Donovan. "We feel good about the win, but Colorado is another level up and we know that."

Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles are familiar playoff foes as the two teams have met five times in the playoffs since the Galaxy lost to RSL in the 2009 MLS Cup Final on penalty kicks.

Donovan continued his comeback from retirement as he started for third consecutive game. Robbie Keane did not start, but came in as a substitute in the second half. Midfielder Steven Gerrard did not dress for the game and has been out for the past month with a hamstring injury.

Players of the Game:

Emmanuel Boateng: Two Goals.
Alan Gordon: Goal.
Joao Plata: PK Goal. 

Three Takeaways:

1. Eight is Great: The Los Angeles Galaxy have made it to eight consecutive MLS Cup Playoffs, the second longest stretch in their franchise history (10).

The #LAGalaxy have made the #MLSCupPlayoffs in 8 straight seasons and are looking for the even year luck in 2016. #Believen #RaceToSeis — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) October 27, 2016

2. Boateng 4, RSL 1: Emmanuel Boateng enjoys playing against the paper-thin backline of Real Salt Lake. The Flying Flea has scored four career MLS goals, all of them have come at StubHub center against the Claret and Cobalt crew.

HT: LA Galaxy 3, RSL 1. Boateng sure loves playing Salt Lake. All 4 of his career goals have come vs. RSL. #LAvRSL #MLSCupPlayoffs — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 27, 2016

3. Gordo Starts, Gio Assists: Believe it or not, LA Galaxy forward Alan Gordon at the ripe old age of 35, had never started in a playoff game. That all changed on Wednesday as Gordon not only started, but scored the 50^th goal of his career in his first career start in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The goal was setup by striker, Giovani Dos Santos, who recorded his team-leading 13^th assist on the goal.

Alan Gordon, in his first career postseason start. 1-0, L.A. Donovan to Dos Santos to Gordon. Very easy. — Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) October 27, 2016

Up Next:

The LA Galaxy will host the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in the first leg of a home-and-home playoff series at StubHub Center.